Your First Visit.

 If you are contemplating chiropractic care for the first time, we are aware that you are stepping into the unknown. If you have had chiropractic care before,  we will endeavour to provide you with the best care possible.

Richard Lanigan DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) is the clinic director. Our objective is to assist you in optimising your health potential and point you in the direction of a healthier way of life to avoid reoccurrence of the problem you come to us with. Arrive ten minutes before your first appointment as you have some forms to fill in. There are 2 parking spaces outside the clinic otherwise use a pay and display bay: 10p for 15 minutes.

On your first visit the chiropractor will take a thorough medical history and then perform a physical examination, this will take approximately thirty minutes. On the first visit only, you  will be asked to undress down to your underwear to observe the spine, gowns are provided. The General Chiropractic Council has put in place a code of practice and standard of profeciency that all chiropractors must adhere to.

The chiropractor  may wish to take X-rays of your spine, this will cost extra and again require your signed consent. X-rays can be an important part of the evaluation of  spinal problems, assisting us in  seeing  what may be causing your problem. We use the latest X-ray equipment to reduce radiation exposure time.

The Support Team.

Lorna Kernahan is the practice manager, Joan Regan and Genevieve work in the reception, they answer your calls, greet you and show you to the adjusting rooms for your appointment. Please arrive at the clinic ten minutes before your first appointment so you can fill out your health questionnaire.

 

Payment and Insurance

Our aim is to provide you with the best in chiropractic care possible and fulfil your expectations. Restoring function to the spinal joints and healing of body tissue takes time. Chiropractic is covered by most private health insurers, however  some companies require a GP referral  so please check with your insurance provider first. We accept cash, cheque or credit card and will supply you with a receipt for your insurance provider for you to claimthe cost of the treatment back from them.

How Long Will It Take To Get My Spine Better Again?

Healing takes time and unless trauma was involved in creating your spinal dysfunction (subluxation) it is unlikely the subluxations started when you first experienced symptoms. Nerve receptors may have been irritated for some time.

Three phases of chiropractic care.

Acute Phase Of Care: is the care received from your first visit until your symptoms disappear or improve to the point of becoming stable.  It involves spinal adjustments usually twice a week with soft tissue work and management of the

pain using cold packs and improving ergonomics.

We find around 90% of our clients

become symptom free or much

improved in  2 to 4 weeks. Acute care is covered by most insurance plans. Some people only want pain relief, you are not obliged to continue into a rehabilitative phase and can discharge yourself at any time.

Rehabilitative Phase Of Care: 

should begin at the end of the “acute phase” after the “Progress Report” has been given. Most people believe that they are “OK” when their symptoms disappear.  This is not usually the case, frequently the underlying cause of the symptoms has existed for some time.  Symptoms may disappear when the primary problem is corrected, but the ligaments are still lax and the holding elements are weak.

A fitness plan takes time, as does improving the strength and flexibility of the spine. To maintain the correction and prevent reoccurrence you are provided with a personalised exercise programme and should continue having your spinal checked  (less frequently than in the acute phase) until we are confident that your spine is strong enough to hold  

the correction. It may take the body, even with the best of care, a few months for surrounding tissues to adapt to vertebral correction. You will also receive soft tissue work from one of our massage therapists.

Wellness Phase Of Care:   When you feel you are not adapting well to life stresses, a spinal adjustment may help. Because of the stresses the spine has to endure every day we recommend having the spine checked every month, this varies according to ones level of daily activity.

We are open six days a week ,from 8.30: Late on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday until 7pm.

See our contact details.